Times are looking rough for the Anshei Meseritz Synagogue at 415 East 6th Street. Curbed NY reports that is is about to celebrate it’s 100 year, but attendance is low and building needs lots of work. From the exterior it’s really beautiful. I remember many times strolling buy it and admiring it’s architecture. The Rabbi seems to be brainstorming on some ideas of how to sustain this this economic climate. One of the ideas is to sell the space above the synagogue for the placement of luxury condos. Then there is the issue of this building being land-marked.

This option has happened to other New York Religious communities. In mid-town, what is now the Citibank building, used to be  home to the historic St. Peter’s Church. The church sold the lot to them, but in return Citibank built them a new modern space that is currently located right in the shadows of the the Citibank sky scraper. It just so happens that the church now thrives, with beautiful choirs and a large congregation. St. Peter’s even has a beautiful Louise Nevelson art installation in their small chapel and this is one of many art installations that the church has commissioned. I wonder how they afforded these commissions? Let me guess must have taken good care of them.

So the lesson is that selling the space above this small struggling synagogue can help the situation, but do you want to lose the history of the past 100 years. I hope if they do decide to have condo’s, the exterior at least stays preserved. Anshei Meseritz Synagogue, please don’t loose your charm.

If you are looking to live near this charming building and neighborhood, please contact Condodomain. We can assist you in finding the right condo for you.